An update to Google’s Inbox email app brings a couple of home screen shortcuts that may save you some time.

Version 1.9 adds two actions: one launches a new message and the other a reminder directly in Inbox. You add them to your home screen just as you would any Android widget. With most Android devices, you tap and hold the home screen and then select Widgets. Scroll through the list until you come to the one you want to add.

Home screen shortcuts for specific actions is a nice Android differentiator.

The update is coming to the Play Store and is live on APK Mirror. I installed it on my Galaxy Note 4, but wasn’t able to get the widgets to appear. This could be specific to my device, so try it out and let us know in the comments what your experience is.

The impact on you:Inbox is a great alternative to Gmail if you get an avalanche of messages that are difficult to manage. Inbox also is a home for reminders, so you can keep everything that you need to do grouped together in one application.

To comment on this article and other Greenbot content, visit our Facebook page or our Twitter feed.